Christy Tosh Crider, Shareholder with Baker Donelson.

Name: Christy Tosh Crider

Category: Law Firm: Innovative Leadership

Firm/Company: Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Title: Shareholder

Time in Position: Since 2004

What was your route to the top? 

I've loved the law and medicine for as long as I can remember. I am passionate about diversity and helping other women. So, my career path to chairing our health care litigation group and our women's initiative has been a very natural progression of investing in things that I love. I've also been passionate about music my entire life, so starting and being a member of the Baker Donelson Nashville office band may not be what others would characterize as "the top," but it sure feels that way to me when we are playing music together in the office late on a Friday afternoon.

What keeps you up at night? 

My biggest business-related concern is whether the law is doing enough to create viable paths for all driven attorneys so that we can give our clients diverse service teams. The research is solid that diverse client service teams out-perform nondiverse ones.

What is the best leadership advice you've given, or received, and why do you think it was effective?

A colleague recently shared with me the concept of "Rush and Point" from Abby Wambach's book. The concept is that a great leader rushes the goal when one of her teammates scores to celebrate her success. And, when the leader scores, she points to her teammates who helped her. The concept is that every win is a team win. It makes the practice of law a whole lot more satisfying and fun. We keep an eight-pack of champagne flutes in my office and we are not afraid to do an afternoon toast on a random Wednesday when our team achieves a win for a client.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?

Creativity, loyalty, work ethic and attitude are the four keys to success and failure is a very natural part of growth.

What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you?

At the end of the day, the success and satisfaction we find in our careers turn on the quality of our teams. So, invest in your team and be the kind of teammate that every team member and client wants beside them in a crisis because you, without fail, will have their backs.